Self-locking plug

ABSTRACT

A compact, highly-reusable, self-locking includes a body component, a flexible beam finger component with a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers, a tab sleeve component including one or more downward extending tabs, an annular detent ring component including a plurality of detents in radial alignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers, and a wave spring disposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ring component for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve component in a direction of a central, longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug. The flexible beam finger component moves relative to the annular detent ring component when the body component is rotated about the central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, thereby causing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across the plurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beam fingers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to plugs, and in particular to a self-lockingthreaded plug that can be used as a borescope plug, a drain plug, anaccess plug, a chip detector plug, and other similar threaded parts.

In the aircraft engine industry, for example, many engines includedouble walled structures, such as a compressor, a combustor and thelike, where the outer and inner walls are respectively provided with anumber of borescope holes or ports. One purpose of the borescope portsis to allow inspection and monitoring of the engine. This may beaccomplished by inserting inspection equipment, such as borescopesand/or probes, through the borescope ports.

Each borescope port requires a removable borescope plug to facilitateborescope inspection of the engine components through the borescopeport. In addition, the borescope plug also performs a sealing functionto prevent the leakage of high pressure and high temperature gas throughthe borescope port. Typically, the borescope ports are threaded holes inthe engine cases and the borescope plugs typically screw into the ports.The borescope plugs are required to incorporate a secondary lockingfeature to prevent them from loosening and/or falling out while theengine is operation.

The secondary locking feature can include a number of different schemes.For example, safety wire (lock wire), tab washers, and cotter clips havebeen used in early engine designs. As the engine designs matured, itbecame obvious that self-locking secondary locking features providedimproved reliability and maintainability. Many new engine designsspecify self-locking borescope plugs.

Thus, there is a need to provide a self-locking plug that is highlyreusable, robust in function, not prone to damage, does not containsharp edges, does not have loose parts, and does not require specialtools, techniques, or knowledge to operate. Additionally, theself-locking plug should be compact, lightweight, and easy tomanufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a self-locking plug comprises a body component; aflexible beam finger component disposed about the body component andincluding a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers, eachfinger having a beveled fingertip; a tab sleeve component disposedwithin the flexible beam finger component and including one or moredownward extending tabs; an annular detent ring component including aplurality of detents separated by ridges in radial alignment with theplurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave spring disposed betweenthe tab sleeve component and the annular detent ring component forproviding a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve component in adirection of a central, longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug,wherein the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents to cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers when the body component is rotated about the central axis of theself-locking plug.

In another aspect, a self-locking plug comprises a body component; aflexible beam finger component disposed about the body component andincluding a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers, eachfinger having a beveled fingertip; a tab sleeve component disposedwithin the flexible beam finger component and including one or moredownward extending tabs; an annular detent ring component including aplurality of detents separated by ridges in radial alignment with theplurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave spring disposed betweenthe tab sleeve component and the annular detent ring component forproviding a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve component in adirection of a central, longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug,wherein the flexible beam finger component moves relative to the annulardetent ring component when the body component is rotated about thecentral, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, thereby causingthe plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across the plurality ofdetents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beam fingers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While various embodiments of the invention are illustrated, theparticular embodiments shown should not be construed to limit theclaims. It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may bemade without departing from the scope of this invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a self-locking plug according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the self-locking plug of FIG. 1 whenassembled;

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view of the self-locking plug of FIG.1 when assembled;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the body component according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the flexible beam finger componentaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the tab sleeve component according to anembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the annular detent ring componentaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a self-locking plug 10 is shown according toan embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, theself-locking plug 10 is intended for use with a borescope port 100, suchas the type used in a jet aircraft engine. However, it will beappreciated that the invention is not limited by the intended use as aborescope plug, and that the invention can be used in otherapplications, such as a drain plug, an access plug, a chip detector, andother similar parts.

In general, the self-locking plug 10 comprises five (5) basiccomponents: a body component 12, a flexible beam finger component 14, atab sleeve component 16, a biasing component 18, such as a wave spring,and the like, and an annular detent ring component 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the body component 12 includes a head 22to allow a tool (not shown), such as a wrench, and the like, to rotatethe body component 12 about a central axis, A, of the self-locking plug10. The head 22 is an internal drive 24, such as a standard squarerecess, Allen socket, splined socket, an external hex, and the like. Thebody 22 also includes a flange 26 that engages the annular flexible beamfinger component 14 and the borescope port 100 when the self-lockingplug 10 is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring back to FIGS.1 and 4, the body 22 also includes an upper cylindrical portion 28 and alower cylindrical portion 30 located on the opposite side of the flange26 than the head 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper cylindricalportion 28 has an outer diameter, D1, than is slightly smaller than theinner diameter of the borescope port 100, while the lower cylindricalportion 30 has a smaller outer diameter, D2, than the upper cylindricalportion 28. As a result, the lower cylindrical portion 30 can be easilyinserted into a central aperture 106 of the borescope port 100 until theflange 26 of the body component 12 engages the borescope port 100. Thebody component 12 may also include a circular-shaped recess 32 formed inthe upper and lower cylindrical portions 28, 30. The recess 32 causesthe upper and lower cylindrical portions 28, 30 to be annular in shape,rather than solid, thereby reducing the overall weight of theself-locking plug 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, the flexible beam finger component 14includes a plurality of flexible beam fingers 34 forming a plurality ofslots 35 therebetween. The flexible beam fingers 34 extend upwardly(i.e. in the axial direction or Z-axis direction) in a circulararrangement from a ring portion 36. Each flexible beam finger 34 has aradially inward beveled fingertip 38 adapted to engage the annulardetent ring 20. Each beveled fingertip 38 is formed with a pair ofopposing beveled side surfaces 38 a, 38 b, a substantially planar sidesurface 38 c extending between the beveled side surfaces 38 a, 38 b, anda substantially planar top surface 38 d connecting the side surfaces 38a, 38 b, 38 c. The beveled shape of the side surfaces 38 a, 38 bfacilitate the mechanical interaction with the annular detent ring 20.The flexible beam finger component 14 also includes a flange 40extending radially inward with respect to the ring portion 36. Theflange 40 engages the flange 26 of the body component 12 when theself-locking plug 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, one or more slots 42 are formed in theflange 40. The slots 42 are adapted to receive a corresponding tab 48 ofthe tab sleeve component 16 when the self-locking plug 10 is assembled,as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible beamfinger component 14 includes two slots 42 that are arranged to bediametrically opposite each other, i.e., 180 degrees apart from eachother. However, the invention is not limited by the number of slots 42,and that the invention can be practiced with any desirable number ofslots, so long as the number of slots correspond to the number of tabsformed on the tab sleeve component 16. For example, the flange 40 canhave three slots 42 located 120 degrees apart from each other. Inanother example, the flange 40 can have four slots 42 located 90 degreesapart from each other.

The purpose of the one or more slots 42 is to accommodate the one ormore tabs 48 of the tab sleeve component 16 and prevent rotationtherebetween when the one or more tabs 48 are received by the one ormore slots 42. Thus, the slot 42, in combination with the tab 48,provides an anti-rotation feature between the flexible beam fingercomponent 14 and the tab sleeve component 16 of the self-locking plug10. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited by the useof a slot on the tab sleeve component 16, and that the invention can bepracticed with other known means for the slot 42. For example, the slot42 can be replaced with a female hex, a Double-D, or a number of otherforms that could be complimentary to the form on the flexible beamfinger component 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the tab sleeve component 16 comprises agenerally annular ring 44 and an upwardly extending band 46 having aninside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the head 22of the body component 12. As a result, the tab sleeve component 16 canbe slipped over the head 22 of the body component 12 such that theflange 44 of the tab sleeve component 16 engages the flange 40 of theflexible beam finger component 14 when the self-locking plug 10 isassembled, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tab sleeve component 16 alsoincludes one or more tabs 48 extending downward from the ring 44. Thetabs 48 are adapted to be received by a corresponding slot 42 of theflexible beam finger component 14 when the self-locking plug 10 isassembled, as shown in FIG. 2.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tab sleeve component 16 includes twotabs 48 that are arranged to be diametrically opposite each other, i.e.,180 degrees apart from each other. However, the invention is not limitedby the number of tabs 48, and that the invention can be practiced withany desirable number of tabs, so long as the number of tabs correspondto the number of slots formed on the flexible beam finger component 14.For example, the tab sleeve component 16 can have three tabs 48 located120 degrees apart from each other. In another example, the tab sleevecomponent 16 can have four tabs 48 located 90 degrees apart from eachother.

The purpose of the one or more tabs 48 is to engage a slot 102 formed inthe top surface 104 of the borescope port 100 and prevent rotation ofthe self-locking plug 10 when the head 22 of the body component 12 isrotated by the tool. Thus, the tab 48, in combination with the slot 102,provides an anti-rotation feature between the tab sleeve component 16 ofthe self-locking plug 10 and the borescope port 100. It will beappreciated that the invention is not limited by the use of a slot onthe borescope port 100, and that the invention can be practiced withother known means for the slot 102. For example, the slot 102 can bereplaced with a female hex, a Double-D, or a number of other forms thatcould be complimentary to the form on the borescope port 100. In anotherexample, the slot 102 can be eliminated with a port larger in diameterand holes can be used instead of cutouts. In this example, the tab 48may have a narrower width to enable the tab 48 to fit into the holes. Inyet another example, the port does not include holes or cutouts.Instead, the tab 48 would have a wider width, angled and have a slotmachined in the center of the tab 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the annular detent ring component 20includes an upper flange portion 50 and a plurality of detents 52 formedon an outer circumferential surface 54. The annular detent ringcomponent 20 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outerdiameter of the head 22 of the body component 12. As a result, theannular detent ring component 20 can be slipped over the head 22 of thebody component 12 when the self-locking plug 10 is assembled, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper flange portion 50 prevents unwanted axialmovement of the flexible beam finger component 14 when the self-lockingplug 10 is assembled, thereby acting as a stop. As shown in FIG. 7, eachdetent 52 has a generally concave surface and is separated by asubstantially planar surface 56. The concave profile of each detent 52facilitates the interaction with the flexible beam fingers 34 of thebeam finger component 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the annular detent ring component 20includes a different number of detents 52 and beam fingers 34. However,it will be appreciated that the invention can be practiced with anydesirable number of detents 52 and beam fingers 34. For example, theinvention can be practiced with the same number of detents 52 and beamfingers 34.

To assemble the self-locking plug 10, the flexible beam finger component14 is disposed about the body component 12. Specifically, the flange 26of the body component 12 and the flange 40 of the flexible beam fingercomponent 14 engage each other when the flexible beam finger component14 is disposed about the body component 12. Then, the tab sleevecomponent 16 is disposed within the flexible beam finger component 14.Then, the wave spring 18 is disposed about the tab sleeve component 16.Finally, the annular detent ring component 20 is fixedly attached to thebody component 12 such that the plurality of detents 52 are engaged withthe plurality of flexible beam fingers 34.

When assembled, the wave spring 18 is disposed between the tab sleevecomponent 16 and the annular detent ring component 20. Once the detentring component 20 is attached to the upper portion 22 of the bodycomponent 12, the wave spring 18 provides a biasing force to urge thetab sleeve component 16 in a downward direction (i.e. toward theborescope port 100) along the central, longitudinal axis, A, of theself-locking plug 10. It is noted that the self-locking plug 10 uses thewave spring 18 as a biasing means, rather than a coil spring. It hasbeen found that the use of the wave spring 18 produces less stress thana comparable coil spring, making the wave spring 18 far more resistantto failure by breakage or relaxation as compared to the coil spring.However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited by theuse of a wave spring to provide the biasing force against the variouscomponents, and that the invention can be used with any desirable meansthat is well-known in the art for providing a biasing force against thevarious components. For example, it might be advantageous to use a coilspring instead of a wave spring, particularly if there is not a sizeconstraint to do so.

In operation, the flexible beam finger component 14 is free to rotateabout the central axis, A, while the annular detent ring component 20does not rotate once fixedly attached to the body component 12. As thebody component 12 is rotated by the tool (not shown) about the centralaxis A of the self-locking plug 10, the plurality of axially-orientedflexible beam fingers 34 on the flexible beam finger component 14 engagethe circumferentially-arranged detents 54 formed on the annular detentring component 20. As the plurality of detents 54 travel across andengage the flexible beam fingers 34, the detents 54 cause elasticdeformation of the flexible beam fingers 34. In other words, the detents54 cause the flexible beam fingers 34 to be periodically deflected in aradial direction (i.e. in the X-axis direction) by a varying amount,resulting in a biased resistance each time a beam finger 34 (or set offingers) is deflected. This biased resistance has a positive clickingeffect that can be audibly detected by the user, and generates apredictable and measurable prevailing torque, which is preciselyengineered to be within a specific range (in lb/in) for a specificnumber of cycles. This prevailing torque has been shown to preventloosening of the self-locking plug 10, particularly in aircraftborescope plug applications.

It is noted that the detents 54 are always engaged with the flexiblebeam fingers 34 when the flexible beam finger component 14 is rotatedrelative to the annular detent ring component 20. It is also noted thatthe flexible beam finger component 14 is free to rotate about thecentral axis, A, but is captured in the axial direction (i.e. in theZ-axis direction) by the annular detent ring component 20 and theborescope port 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Further, the tab sleevecomponent 16 can move in the axial direction (i.e. in the Z-axisdirection), but only by a pre-determined amount, and is eventuallycaptured when the tabs 48 of the tab sleeve component 16 are seated inthe slot 102 on the top surface 104 of the borescope port 100, as shownin FIG. 2. It is noted that the biasing force exerted by the wave spring18 ensures that the tabs 48 remain seated in the slot 102 as the bodycomponent 12 is further rotated by the tool (not shown). Once the tabs48 engage the slot 102, the flexible beam fingers 34 and detents 54activate and generate prevailing torque as the body component 12 isfurther rotated further by the tool.

As described above, the flexible beam finger component 14 rotatesrelative to the annular detent ring component 20. However, it should beappreciated by one skilled in the art that the invention can bepracticed in reverse, i.e., with the annular detent ring component 20rotating relative to the flexible beam finger component 14.

The design of the self-locking plug 10 of the invention has severaldistinct advantages as compared to conventional plugs. First, the bodycomponent 12 of the self-locking plug 10 seats directly against theborescope port 100, which assures superior squareness, strength andsealing. Second, the flexible beam fingers 34 and detents 54 work fullyindependently of the wave spring 18. As a result, the self-locking plug10 remains securely seated against the borescope port 100, even thoughthe wave spring 18 may have failed. Third, the use of the wave spring18, rather than a coil spring, provides less stress and more resistanceto failure by breakage of relaxation. Finally, the design of theself-locking plug 10 of the invention is far more compact thanconventional plug designs.

It will be appreciated that the self-locking plug 10 of the inventioncan be used for other applications other than borescope plugs. Forexample, the self-locking plug 10 can be used various separableconnectors, such as those used in electrical, fluid, hydraulic, andpneumatic lines, mechanical fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, andadjustable linkages in which a jam nut must be prevented from loosening.The self-locking plug 10 of the invention can also be used as a torquelimiting device or clutch in a power train.

The patents and other documents identified herein are herebyincorporated by reference herein. Other embodiments of the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thespecification or a practice of the invention disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples are illustrative only andare not intended to be limiting on the scope of the invention. The truescope and spirit of the invention is indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-locking plug, comprising: a bodycomponent; a flexible beam finger component disposed about the bodycomponent and including a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beamfingers; a tab sleeve component including one or more downward extendingtabs; an annular detent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents to cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers when the body component is rotated about the central,longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, and wherein the bodycomponent includes a flange, and wherein the flexible beam fingercomponent includes a flange radially inward from the flexible fingers,and wherein the flange of the body component and the flange of theflexible beam finger component engage each other when the self-lockingplug is assembled.
 2. The self-locking plug according to claim 1,wherein the number of detents is equal to the number of flexible beamfingers.
 3. The self-locking plug according to claim 1, wherein theflange of the flexible beam finger component includes one or more slotsadapted to receive the one or more tabs of the tab sleeve component. 4.The self-locking plug according to claim 3, wherein the one or moreslots prevent rotation between of the tab sleeve component and theflexible beam finger component when the one or more tabs are received bythe one or more slots, thereby providing an anti-rotation featurebetween the flexible beam finger component and the tab sleeve componentof the self-locking plug.
 5. The self-locking plug according to claim 3,wherein the flexible beam finger component includes two slots that arespaced 180 degrees apart from each other, and wherein the tab sleevecomponent includes two tabs that are spaced 180 degrees apart from eachother.
 6. A self-locking plug, comprising: a body component; a flexiblebeam finger component disposed about the body component and including aplurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers; a tab sleevecomponent including one or more downward extending tabs; an annulardetent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents to cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers when the body component is rotated about the central,longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, and wherein the one ormore tabs engage a slot formed in a borescope port and prevent rotationof the self-locking plug when the body component about the central,longitudinal axis of the self-locking plug, thereby providing ananti-rotation feature between the tab sleeve component and the borescopeport.
 7. A self-locking plug, comprising: a body component; a flexiblebeam finger component disposed about the body component and including aplurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers; a tab sleevecomponent including one or more downward extending tabs; an annulardetent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents to cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers when the body component is rotated about the central,longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, and wherein the detentsare always engaged with the flexible beam fingers when the flexible beamfinger component is rotated relative to the annular detent ringcomponent.
 8. A self-locking plug, comprising: a body component; aflexible beam finger component disposed about the body component andincluding a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beam fingers; a tabsleeve component including one or more downward extending tabs; anannular detent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents to cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers when the body component is rotated about the central,longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, and wherein each detenthas a generally concave surface and is separated by a substantiallyplanar surface for facilitating interaction with the flexible beamfingers as the plurality of flexible beam fingers travel across theplurality of detents.
 9. A self-locking plug, comprising: a bodycomponent; a flexible beam finger component disposed about the bodycomponent and including a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beamfingers; a tab sleeve component including one or more downward extendingtabs; an annular detent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the flexible beam finger component moves relative to theannular detent ring component when the body component is rotated aboutthe central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, therebycausing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across theplurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers, and wherein the body component includes a flange, and whereinthe flexible beam finger component includes a flange radially inwardfrom the flexible fingers, and wherein the flange of the body componentand the flange of the flexible beam finger component engage each otherwhen the self-locking plug is assembled.
 10. The self-locking plugaccording to claim 9, wherein the number of detents is equal to thenumber of flexible beam fingers.
 11. The self-locking plug according toclaim 9, wherein the flange of the flexible beam finger componentincludes one or more slots adapted to receive the one or more tabs ofthe tab sleeve component.
 12. The self-locking plug according to claim11, wherein the one or more slots prevent rotation between of the tabsleeve component and the flexible beam finger component when the one ormore tabs are received by the one or more slots, thereby providing ananti-rotation feature between the flexible beam finger component and thetab sleeve component of the self-locking plug.
 13. The self-locking plugaccording to claim 11, wherein the flexible beam finger componentincludes two slots that are spaced 180 degrees apart from each other,and wherein the tab sleeve component includes two tabs that are spaced180 degrees apart from each other.
 14. A self-locking plug, comprising:a body component; a flexible beam finger component disposed about thebody component and including a plurality of axially-oriented flexiblebeam fingers; a tab sleeve component including one or more downwardextending tabs; an annular detent ring component including a pluralityof circumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the flexible beam finger component moves relative to theannular detent ring component when the body component is rotated aboutthe central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, therebycausing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across theplurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers, and wherein the one or more tabs engage a slot formed in aborescope port and prevent rotation of the self-locking plug when thebody component about the central, longitudinal axis of the self-lockingplug, thereby providing an anti-rotation feature between the tab sleevecomponent and the borescope port.
 15. A self-locking plug, comprising: abody component; a flexible beam finger component disposed about the bodycomponent and including a plurality of axially-oriented flexible beamfingers; a tab sleeve component including one or more downward extendingtabs; an annular detent ring component including a plurality ofcircumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges in radialalignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wave springdisposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detent ringcomponent for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleeve componentin a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, wherein the flexible beam finger component moves relative to theannular detent ring component when the body component is rotated aboutthe central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-locking plug, therebycausing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travel across theplurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of the flexible beamfingers, and wherein the detents are always engaged with the flexiblebeam fingers when the flexible beam finger component is rotated relativeto the annular detent ring component.
 16. A self-locking plug,comprising: a body component; a flexible beam finger component disposedabout the body component and including a plurality of axially-orientedflexible beam fingers; a tab sleeve component including one or moredownward extending tabs; an annular detent ring component including aplurality of circumferentially-arranged detents separated by ridges inradial alignment with the plurality of flexible beam fingers; and a wavespring disposed between the tab sleeve component and the annular detentring component for providing a biasing force to urge the tab sleevecomponent in a direction of a central, longitudinal axis, A, of theself-locking plug, wherein the flexible beam finger component movesrelative to the annular detent ring component when the body component isrotated about the central, longitudinal axis, A, of the self-lockingplug, thereby causing the plurality of flexible beam fingers to travelacross the plurality of detents and cause elastic deformation of theflexible beam fingers, and wherein each detent has a generally concavesurface and is separated by a substantially planar surface forfacilitating interaction with the flexible beam fingers as the pluralityof flexible beam fingers travel across the plurality of detents.